HOLY SMOKES ! Local Card Show Haul - Part 1

The bad thing about the glut of card sets in today's hobby is that its nearly impossible to collect everything. Another bad thing about today's modern cards is that many come in very expensive boxes far beyond the budget of the average wallet.

Well, the good thing about the above, is that often, the cup of wealth overflows and spills out to the waiting masses.

Going to this weekend's monthly local card show, I was gunning for the dealer tables that yielded past gems. In a moment of indecision, I had left a few desired cards in the bins and hoped they would be there.

I had planned to make a bee line to THAT dealer when I passed the table of a dealer that had some nice vintage last show. So I asked him to put aside the handful I pulled. He just nodded and gave me a straight price which was even better than the bargain price. I picked up a nice 1971 "Catfish" Hunter and a 1961 Washington Senators, Mickey Vernon card.

Vernon has his own sports museum in Pennsylvania and holds the record for career double play for a 1st baseman.

Hall of Famer - Jim Hunter

 

Mickey Vernon owner of 2,495 career hits

 

Although I probably had a card of each of these athletes, it was hard to pass up two of the more decorated Olympians of modern times. So, I added a 2013 mini Goodwin Carl Lewis and a 2012 Allen & Ginter mini Michael Phelps.

 

Carl Lewis - fastest man on land

 

Michael Phelps - fastest man in water

 

Going back to the table to take care of unfinished business, I found the cards just as I had left them. But the prices had gone up. Oh boy !

 

However, after discovering that these cards came in boxes with a suggested retail price of $89.99, I figured my only chance to get these would be on the secondary market.

 

I found a blue back mini (Y for Yale) football player, and 3 insert minis. I added 2 ships (Cutty Sark S-6 and Queen Mary S-7) and a horse (Tennesse Walker H-#3).

 

2008 Mayo Plug - Glenn Dorsey rookie

 

Cutty Sark insert # S-6

 

As luck would have it, I found this orange back (P for Princeton) President Grover Cleveland card. They are found 1 card per box ! I also like anyone who was the leader of the "Bourbon Democrats" - cheers !

 

Not a Brown's player, but still a big enough guy to be both the 22nd and 24th President

 

Although none of these were true tobacco cards, they are the same size as traditional cigarette issues. The Goodwin, Allen and Ginter and Mayo Plug were original brands that distributed cards with their smoking products. I like the smaller size collectables and the subject matter is easier to handle than massive sport issues from card companies.

 

Ideally, I would like to feature original cards of these tobacco subjects as well as their modern issue. I have several athletes and some other personalities.   

 

I had a plan for this show and I hit my target on these. I will feature the rest of my haul in the next installment.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRADING - THE WORLD'S GAME

With the Euros going full steam over in Poland / Ukraine, the US Soccer Team was covertly earning its way to the next World Cup playing without TV coverage in Guatemala. 

In the spirit of international peace, I am not going to write and rant about this past Tuesdays US Soccer World Cup Qualifier being only available on pay-per-view. The American escaped from the 3rd World hell with a 1:1 draw thanks to stalwart  net minder - TIM HOWARD.

2011 Futera Unique TIM HOWARD card

As the USA will be take a break from the qualification to BRAZIL 2014 with no games until September, I am offering up a 2012 US SOCCER YEARBOOK to scout out the Yank's squad. 

It is filled with full color biographies of all the players with other stats and photos.

(above - Landon Donovan bio page.)

I usually sell these for $15 bucks in the year they come out and $10 when the next one comes out. 

Also, if anyone has this card ...

2011 Allen & Ginter  - TIM HOWARD autograph, I would be willing to trade and even add to the kitty.

I need all versions of the card - mini, black, jersey and base.

Are You A Tough Guy ?

Remember school days when it seemed important to be a tough guy ? The thing about trading cards is that if your sport requires it, a tough guy picture is a hit on the playground.

So who looks ike a tough guy ? Wrestler Theo Bauer (above) looks quite the intimidater a hundred years before WWF guys were posing as such. This 1887 Allen & Ginter is a true sample of artwork.

1909 Player's Cigarettes Arms & Armor and the 1905 Player's Riders of The World are two sets that displayed superior illustration of men ready for battle. Three sword welding mad-men were probably ancient all-stars.

What's different about the card below ? Could it be the fact that the offensive skater is wearing a helmet and face cage ? Meanwhile, the goalie - Lorne Worsley - has no mask.

Lorne, better known as "Gump" was one of the last NHL goalkeepers to don the face mask.

Worsley was a part of the Montreal Canadiens 1960's dynasty. He experienced a nervous breakdown and suffered from a fear of flying.  He was lured out of retirement for the expansion Minnesota North Stars. This great moment of battle was only available in the 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee hockey set.

Card Show - Return to Collecting

It had been at least a decade maybe more that I had attended a real card show. But in this economic climate and unemployed indifference a bonified offer of free is still free. So when I heard that there would be a sports card show less than an hour drive from my home I put it on the calender.

Free parking, free admission and a chance to obtain cards was enticing - all without the wait or cost of the postage nor an auction to end. I also knew that in this age of game-useded, refractornated, autofied, shortprint-a-numbered cards (makes ya think of the ole Prezident, huh?) - I thought there may be a chance to get some raw, genuine cardboard products.

In addition, I needed to shop for Red Sox as my new trading pal in England collects them. This can be vexing. Should I buy and give up the cards or send them in trade ? I finally decided I'd split the "goods" as evenly as possible.

First, I found some 3 Allen & Ginter - 1 base and a pair of minis to go into my Red Sox collection. Then I found three Topps Herritage to send over the pond.

Love those minis ... makes you want to take up tobacco (just kidding kids).

Found a Brandy Chastain (with her jersey ON) ... to go into my Ladies collection.

Then I picked up a few of these Topps Masterpiece hockey - just because hockey is art ...

and art should depict hockey. Anyone who has these in hand knows that photos do not do these cards any justice. The canvas look and feel make them special. Picked up two Gretzkys, two Roys, a Mario and Mr. Hockey - Gordie Howe. (if anyone wants my extras - mail me)

I realize the 1990's had a lot of gimmick cards, especially the hockey sets. But Pacific hockey had some of the nicest and most regal products the NHL collectors have ever seen. I've seen most of them - that is until this show. In Florida, where very few dealers have hockey, I was surprised to see so many tables that actually HAD hockey - boxes, singles, sets and high end merchandise. (if things werent going so well for the dealers I might have had a big trade)

I found this little gem in a giveaway box ! This 1997-98 Pacific Card Supial is a minaiture no bigger than you see here - and a sure Hall of Famer - Martin Brodeur.

I was very pleased at to the turnout at this diminutive card show - 30 tables worth. So were the dealers who saw brisk action with 40 to 50 buyers and traders inside at any time. A refreshing change of message boards, online auctions and even mail exchanges. It reminded me of the days of card shows past.

Being a bit nostalgic, I found a modern card that can only be described as vintage looking - a 2008 Goudey. This was a gold numbered mini card of Hall of Famer Eddie Matthews in a Milwaukee Braves uniform.

It was a nice return visit to a card show. The dialog and banter that only happens when collectors are side by side was enjoyable. I saw and learned more about what was new and ongoing in card collection in an hour of browsing than I could have in 5 hours on a computer.

Christmas Fantasy

Before all the relatives arrive - before we dip too deep into the special eggnog - before we open all the things that are going to be returned to the long lines at the store ... let us wish - neigh, let us dream.

For everyone should have one fantasy card for Christmas. As I have given away my e-cards for Christmas, I saved one in the bag for me. Since the Allen & Ginter mini cards are one of my modern favorites, I've conjured up a fantasy card of sexy icon - MARILYN MONROE.

This will be added to my "inserts we like to see" list.

Off to the eggnog !

Tony Gwynn Fake Card Contest

Our man David over at Cardboard Junkie (the guy that got me reading blogs) has started a contest. I'm throwing my card into the ring with this simple (minded) redition of Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.


I feel I have not had time to concentrate on details ... its the holidays and we are going at the speed of the autobahn - fast, faster and Mercedes Benz. I wish I had more time to showcase my favorites in the 2nd Blog Bat Around - but all I came up with was a pinch-hit bunt. Never-the-less, this blogging is a learning curve.


So here is my lame Gwynn card.

I would really like to see more quality inserts or short print cards. I know there are some cool emperors and sharks but lets face it, the majority of collectors are men (sorry ladies - its true).

I am bewildered by the chase for some of these mini cards in the Allen & Ginter sets. For half the price, you could purchase a nice card that is 5 times as old - and a real robacco card - on the internet.

I would like to start a series called - "this should be an insert". You would have to imagine you are thumbing through the most recent opened pack of cards ... and lo and behold you find this:

Would THIS be better than a shark ? Better than an Orthocopter ? Better than Honus Wagner ? Careful how you answer that. Stay tune ...